Don Wakamatsu To Be Named Manager

by ~ November 18th, 2008 at 12:02 am

King 5 news is reporting from sources close to the M’s that Don Wakamatsu is the front-runner for the M’s managerial job and all that’s left is the owner’s approval before its official.

Wakamatsu– who’s full name is Wilbur Donald Wakamatsu  (which is an awesome name)– was the A’s bench coach this year and before that was the Rangers bench coach and third base coach for 5 years.  He was also a minor league manager and a catcher in his playing days.

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  • http://marinermelee.blogspot.com/ Mariner Melee

    Makes sense. Mild Mannered (Like Zduriencik) and he’s all too familiar will the AL West.

    Lets get on with Player moves now. Brad Nelson Gmz, Brad Nelson.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Seattle Times has finally confirmed as well. Wakamatsu it is.

    What’s up with these names? Zduriencik.. Wakamatsu..

  • http://marinermelee.blogspot.com/ Mariner Melee

    Next thing you know we will trade for Saltalamacchia, Grudzielanek and Mientkiewicz

  • Rob T.

    Here’s a little insight on what type of manager Wakamatsu will be. I can see why Jack Z liked him, he has a very analytical mind which is great.

    “Putting together the scouting meeting and determining what is the most pertinent information is Wakamatsu’s domain. He is the staff organizer. Before the first game of each series, he’ll arrive at the stadium a good seven hours before first pitch to start putting the game plan on a board in the clubhouse. He’s already done it once, putting it to paper and in a notebook he’ll carry with him to the dugout.

    The game plan will include everything from which outfielders the Rangers can run on to which opponent is most likely to bunt. It will include which opposing pitchers have good moves to first base and which ones the Rangers can be more confident running against.”

    “There is so much information out there,” Wakamatsu said. “It can be information overload. I want to try and refine it and decipher stuff that is going to apply.”

  • ChazzleDazzle2

    I really do not like this hiring of Wakamatsu as manager. The recent ownership of the M’s has focused entirely too much on appealing to the large Asian fan base and has disregarded focusing on important things such as wins and losses. With the hiring of Zduriencik, I thought the M’s would actually contemplate interviewing big names like Willy Randolph and Ned Yost, who Zduriencik has a great relationship with their experiences together in Milwaukee.

    M’s better get their act together. They are probably one of the worst franchises in sports during the 2000′s so we’ll see what direction they go in with this obscure hiring.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    ^ Considering the suits wanted Joey Cora and Wakamatsu was Zduriencik’s number 1 choice, I’ll have to disagree with your there. Some of the media is overplaying Wakamatsu’s asian heritage.

    I don’t think Randolph and Yost would be good choices either. I’m completely fine with hiring a first time manager. Former managers are unemployed for a reason.

    Welcome to the side, Chaz.

  • Rob T.

    ^I can write a whole essay on why that statement is wrong and why you have no basis on which to say that but i’ll keep in short. Willie Radolph and Ned Yost were terrible managers, just like all the other retreads that the media through out as candidates. They were fired for a reason and every single one of them had sites dedicated to their firing by fans of their teams. Ned Yost was friends with Jack Z and he didnt even consider him for the job which tells me he might be friends with him but he’s not going to hire someone he knows is a bad manager.

    There is nothing to base it on that they only hired him for the asian fan base. Jack Z said himself that it was his call and nobody elses, not armstrong, not lincoln and not the owner. Wakamatsu was born in Oregon. This is like when people said Kim Ng was going to be hired just because she was asian even though she was born in Indiana. If the owner wanted someone that was connected to japan he would have hired Bobby Valentine.

    Absolutely nothing that Jack Z had done so far indicate that Lincoln or Armstrong are still making the decisions. If it was up to them they probably would have picked Joey Cora. He hired Wakamatsu because they thought he was the best candidate for the job and thats the only reason. He is even highly respected around baseball. Ken Rosenthal talked to people around the league and everybody thinks its a very good hiring. Just because you have never heard of Wakamatsu doesn’t mean he’s not the best candidate for the job. End Rant.

  • Brandon

    When i read about all the potential guys, Wakamatsu sounded like one of the more competent guys. i read somewhere that he shows up at the stadium 7 hours before the first pitch to get his game plan ready for that night. He sounds like a optimistic guy who is going to do what he can to get our young guys to play to their potential.
    I like the signing better than what it could have been…